Boat rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage



v BY m PK flea; WM NM ATTOE/VESJS.

2 Sh eew-Sheet l H. G. JOHNSON El AL BOAT RUDDER AND REVERSIBLE PITCH PROPELLER ASSEMBLAGE Nov. 7, 1950 Fiied April 5, 1948 Nov. 7, 1950 H. G. JOHNSON ET AL ,7

BOAT RUDDER AND REVERSIBLE PITCH Y PROPELLER ASSEMBLAGE Filed April 5, 194s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mil WLE,

n ma El E B mamewmmee,

Patented Nov. 7, 1950 1 BOAT RUDDER AND REVERSIBLE PITCH PROPELLER ASSEMBLAGE Harry G. Johnson and Leonard M. Kalous, Oshkosh, Wis., assignors to United States Motors Corporation, a corporation of Wisconsin ApplicationApril 5, 1948, Serial No. 18,866

This invention relates to improvements in boat rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblages.

Conventional boat propelling reversible pitch propellers eliminate the need for reversing the rotation of the propeller shaft of the boat when it is desired to reverse the direction of travel of the boat, as this requirement is taken care of by reversing the pitch of the propeller blades. In such conventional reversible pitch propeller constructions a tubular propeller shaft houses a control shaft and movement of the latter operates the propeller blade pitch altering gears. In said conventional arrangement, the control shaft, housed by the driven propeller shaft, extends into the boat adjacent the operators station. The rudder assemblage is, in the conventional arrangement, entirely separate and disassociated from the reversible pitch propeller assemblage.

With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage for boats wherein the rudder shaft is operatively connected with the reversible pitch propeller in a manner so that a certain manipulation of the rudder shaft is effective to alter the pitch of the propeller blades; whereby the rudder shaft serves as'the. propeller bladepitchadjusting means, and the need'for'a control shaft extending from the propeller, through the propeller shaft, and into the boat is entirely eliminated;

A further'object of the invention is to provide a boat'rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage wherein'the tiller or"rudder operating handle also serves as the means for adjusting the reversible pitch'propeller.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage which is compact and is especiallysuited for small inboard engine boats.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boat rudder and'reversible pitch propeller assemblagewhich permits the'rudder and propeller'to'function in their accustomed independent manners, but which provides common adjusting means for the same. I

A'further object of the invention is to provide a boat rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage with which any small inboard engine boat may be readily equipped, which is strong anddurable, which is easy to manipulate, and which is well adapted for the purposes set forth.

With theabove'and other objects in view, the

invention consists "of the improved boat rudder 13 Claims. (Cl. 115-34) and reversible pitch propeller assemblage, and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the stern portion of a small inboard engine boat equipped with the improved rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the boat with the rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage mounted thereon;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line'33 of Fig. '1; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional View taken on line 4- of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will appear that a small inboard engine boat is designated by the numeral 8. The hull of the boat, toward the stern thereof, is provided with a depending bracket 9 in which is journalled the propeller shaft 10. The latter extends to and is driven by the inboard motor (not shown) of the boat. The rear end portion of the propeller shaft H] is connected fast to the bored hub por tion I! of a reversible pitch propeller designated generally by the numeral [2 (see Fig. 4). As is conventional with reversible pitch propellers, each of the blades [3 thereof is carried by a shank M which extends into openings therefor in the propeller hub H, with the inner ends of the shanks being formed as gears 55. The gears l5'are disposed on opposite sides of and in mesh with the teeth of a rack It. In conventional reversible pitch propeller arrangements, the rack l6 would have a shank and operating rod extending forwardly through the tubular propeller shaft I 0. However, in the present invention the rack I6 is provided with a rearwardly extending shank ll-having a reduced cylindrical stem portion I1 which is revoluble within a bearing I8 in a connector I9. v

The stern board2fi of the boat 8 hasbolted thereto a lower bracket 2! and an upper bracket 22 which project exteriorly of the stern board rudder shaft 23 revolubly extends. The lower bracket 2i, therefore, constitutes a pivotal mounting for an intermediate portion of the rudder shaft 23 so that said shaft may be rocked fore and aft on a horizontal axis;

. Both the lower bracket 2i and the upper bracket 22 are carried by a plate 2.! with the lower bracket being secured against the plate and to the stern board 26 by bolts 28. The construction of the upper bracket 22 is shown most clearly in Fig. 3, and it will be noted that the bracket includes a T member 29, the head bf which slidably engages the shank portions of elongated bolts 39 whose threaded extremities pass through the plate 21 and the stern board in spaced relationship and carry clamping nuts 3|. The outer extremities of the bolts 30 carry adjusting nuts 32 and look nuts 33 which may be adjusted to regulate and limit the amount of reciprocatory movement of the T member 29 on the bolt shanks 36. Inward movement of the member 29 on the bolt shanks 30 is yieldingly resisted by coiled springs 3i confined between portions of the head of the T 29 and washers 35 seated against adjustable bolts 36 on intermediate portions of the shanks of the bolts 30. The T member 29 is formed with a sleeve portion 29 which revolubly engages the rudder shaft 23. The leg portion of the T member 29 is recessed and houses a stud 31 to which is attached one'end portion of an operating cable 38. The operating cable extends movably through registering apertures therefor in the plate 2'! and in the stern board 20 and is trained about suitable pulleys 39 secured to inner wall portions of the boat 8. On an inner side wall portion of the boat toward the bow thereof, is a plate 40 on which is pivotally mounted a lever H having attached thereto the forward end of the cable 38. Intermediately pivotally mounted on the plate 40 is a bell crank operating lever 42-. The handle portion 42' thereof may be manually engaged to rock the lever and the lower angular arm portion of the lever 452, which is shouldered at its outer end,

engages with a fixed pin 43 on the lever ll. Consequently, movement of the lever 42' in the proper direction is effective to exert a pull on the cable 38 which will reciprocate the T member 29 forwardly on the bolt shanks 3%) against the tension of the coiled springs 34. This manipulation of the cable 38 permits the boat operator, in a forward position in the boat, to swing the rudder shaft 23 fore or aft on its pivotal mounting whereby, through the connections later to be described, the pitch of the propeller blades [3 may be adjusted or varied.

Another means for operating the rudder shaft 23 is provided by a tiller 44, manipulatable by a person positioned in the stern of the boat. The upper extremity of the rudder shaft 23 has fast thereon a socket member 45 into which the inner end portion of the tiller M projects. The portion of the tiller M witlfin the socket memberflfinis provided with an annular'recess 46 into "which the shankportion of an adjust-- ing bolt 4'? extends, the. arrangement being such that the tiller may be independently rotated within the socket so as to free a locking flange 48 from the projecting upper end'portion of the plate 27. Thereupon, the tiller 44 may be reciprocated forwardly and rearwardly for the purpose of pivotally swinging the rudder 23 fore or aft relative to its horizontal pivotal mounting 25, such movement of the rudder 75 shaft being permitted by the upper bracket 22 wherein the T member 29 which engages the rudder shaft 23 i yildingly reciproeatably movable on the bolt shanks 39. An adjusting bolt 59 on theinner end of the leg of. the T member 29 limits the amount of forward movement the T member 29 may have relative to the bolt shanks. It is also evident that the tiller 44, when moved through an arc, will oscillate or turn the rudder shaft 23 in its supporting sleeves 26 and 29 to thereby turn the rudder 50 mounted on the lower end portion of the rudder shaft 23.

Rotatably enclosing the lower extremity of the rudder shaft 23 is a clevis 5! in the bifurcated portion of which is pivotally mounted on a pin 52, one end portion of a link 53. The other end portion'of the link 53 is pivotally'mounted, as at54, in .the bifurcated rear end portion of the connector l9. Through the connections last described, therefore, fore or aft pivotal movement imparted to the rudder shaft 23 is effective to reciprocate the link 53, the connector l9 and the rack i6, whereby the gears 14 are turned to desired.

From the foregoing description, it will be evi dent that the reversible pitch propeller I2 is driven by the propeller shaft l0. However, the means for adjusting or reversing the pitch of the propeller blades I3 is accomplished by rocking movements of the rudder shaft 23 which may be rocked through the connections previouslyi; explained by manipulation of the cable 38 or:- by forward and, rearward movement of the, tiller as. The brokenlines inFig. 1 extending; along the rudder shaft show the neutral p'osi tion of the rudder shaft and the positions to af-v fect either of theextreme pitched positions of: the propeller blades 43 for forward or reverse;- propulsion of the boat. Through the locking; flange 48 on the tiller 44, the rudder shaft may: be maintained in its neutral position, but upon revolving the tiller to free the flange from the The assemblage is extremely compact, simple,

and minimizes the parts and connections required; Also, the boat operator, seated'in the stern of the boat, need only manipulate the tiller 44 to both steer the boat and to so adjust the propeller blades that the boat may be propelled forwardly or rearwardly as desired. The improved boat rudder and reversible pitch propeller assemblage is especially suited for small inboard motor boats and is well adapted for the purposes. described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In a boat having a reversible pitch propeller including means foradjusting the pitch of the propeller blades, a ruddershaft revolubly and pivotally mounted on the boat, an independent parted to the rudder shaft are said, propeller blade adjusting means to vary the pitch of the propeller blades.

2.,In a boat having a reversible pitch propeller, a generally upright rudder shaft, a rudder carried by a lower portion of said shaft,.means revolubly mounting said rudder shaft on the boat whereby the rudder may be turned for boat steering purposes, means forming a pivotal comes-- tion between an'intermediate' portion of the rudder shaft and the boat forgrocking the rudder shaft fore and aft, and operating connections between the rudder shaft and the reversible pitch propeller "whereby fore and aft rocking movements imparted to'the rudder shaft are transmitteditolthe reversible pitch propeller for blade pitch. adjusting purposes.

3. In a boat having a reversible pitch propeller, a generally upright rudder shaft revolubly and swingably mounted on the boat, a rudder carried fast by a lower portion of said shaft, means carried by said rudder shaft for selectively revolving or swinging said shaft, and connections between the rudder shaft and the reversible pitch propeller whereby swinging movements imparted to the rudder shaft are transmitted to the reversible pitch propeller for blade pitch adjusting purposes.

4. In a boat having a reversible pitch propeller, a sleeve tiltably mounted on the stern of a boat, a rudder shaft journalledin said sleeve and tiltable therewith, a rudder carried fast by a lower portion of said shaft, a tiller carried by an upper portion of said rudder shaft and manually manipulatable to revolve said shaft, said tiller also being manually manipulatable to tilt said shaft, other means extending from the rudder shaft to a more forward position in the boat for tiltably moving the rudder shaft, and operating connections between the rudder shaft and the reversible pitch propeller whereby tilting movements imparted to the rudder shaft are transmitted to the reversible pitch propeller.

5. In a boat having a reversible pitch propeller, a rudder shaft, a rudder carried by a lower portion of said shaft, a bracket having a sleeverevolubly engaging said rudder shaft and mounting the same on the boat, said sleeve being pivotally carried by the bracket, and operating connections between the rudder shaft and the reversible pitch propeller whereby pivotal movements imparted to the rudder shaft are transmitted to the reversible pitch propeller.

6 The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller having adjustable pitch blades and means associated with the propeller for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a rudder shaft turnably and pivotally mounted on the boat, a rudder fast on said rudder shaft to turn therewith, and a connection between said rudder shaft and the propeller blade adjusting means responsive to pivotal movements of the rudder shaft.

7. The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller having adjustable pitch blades and reciprocatory means associated with the propeller for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a rudder shaft turnably and pivotally mounted on the boat, a rudder fast on said rudder shaft to turn therewith, and a connection between said rudder shaft and said reciprocatory means for longitudinally moving the latter in a desired direction in response to a pivotal movement of the rudder shaft for blade adjusting purposes.

8. The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller having adjustable pitch blades and a rack mechanism for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a'rudder shaft turnably and pivotally mounted on the boat, a rudder fast on said rudder shaft to turn therewith, and a connection between said rudder shaft and said rack mechanism for moving the latter in a desired direction in response to a pivotal movement of the rudder shaft for blade adjusting purposes,

79. The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller'ihavingadjustable pitch blades and a rack mechanism for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a rudder shaft, a bearing sleeve in which said shaft is journalled and reciprocatably mounted onthe boat, a rudder fast on said rudder shaft to turn therewith, means fulcruming said shaft. on the boat, and a connection between said rudder shaft and said rack mechanism for longitudinally moving the latter in a desired direction in response to a pivotal movement of the rudder shaft for blade adjusting purposes.

10. The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller having adjustable pitch blades and a rack mechanism for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a generally upright rudder shaft, a bearing sleeve in which said shaft is journalled, yielding means reciprocatably mounting said bearing sleeve on the stern of the boat, a rudder fast on a lower portion of said rudder shaft to turn therewith, a pivotal mounting between another portion of the rudder shaft and the stern of the boat, and a connection between a lower portion of said rudder shaft and said rack mechanism for longitudinally moving the latter in a desired direction for blade adjusting purposes in response to a pivotal movement of the rudder shaft.

, '11. The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller having adjustable pitch blades and a rack mechanism for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a generally upright rudder shaft, 9. bearing sleeve in which an upper portion of said shaft is journalled, adjustable, yielding means reciprocatably mounting said bearing sleeve on the stern of the boat, a rudder fast on a lower portion of said rudder shaft to-turn therewith, a pivotal mounting between an intermediate portion of the rudder shaft-and the stern of the boat below the first-mentioned mounting, and a connection between the lower end portion of said rudder shaft and said rack mechanism for longitudinally moving the latter in a desired direction for blade adjusting purposes in response to a pivotal movement of the rudder shaft.

12. The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller having adjustable pitch blades and a rack mechanism for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a rudder shaft, a bearing sleeve in which said shaft is journalled and reciprocatably mounted on the boat, a rudder fast on said rudder shaft to turn therewith, means fulcruming said shaft on the boat, a connection between said rudder shaft and said rack mechanism for longitudinally moving the latter in a desired direction in response to a pivotal movement of the rudder shaft for blade adjusting purposes, a tiller carried by the upper end portion of the rudder shaft and manipulatable to revolve the rudder shaft or to rock it on its fulcrum, and means for releasably retaining the rudder shaft in a desired position.

13. The combination with a boat propelled by a propeller having adjustable pitch blades and a rack mechanism for mechanically adjusting the blades, of a generally upright rudder shaft,

a bearing sleeve in which an upper portion of said shaft is journalled, yielding means reciprocatably mounting said bearing sleeve on the stern of the boat, a rudder fast on a lower portion of said rudder shaft to turn therewith, a pivotal mounting between an intermediate portion of the rudder shaft and the stern of the boat below the first-mentioned mounting, a connection between the lower end portion of said ruddershaft and 7 said rack mechanism for longitudinally moving the latter in a desired direction for blade adjusting purposes in response toa pivotal movement of the rudder shaft, a tiller carried by an upper end portion of the rudder shaft for turning or pivoting the same, and an elongated con- 5 nection extending from the rudder shaft to a forward position in the boat for pivotally moving the rudder shaft.

HARRY G. JOHNSON. LEONARD M. KALOUS.

REFERENCES CITED V The following referencesare of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Names Date 7 833,364 Arthur Oct. 16, 1906 887,986

Ward May '19, 1908 

